The Descendants of Alexander Moon in the Mains of Blair and Toldamph

Alexander Moon 'in the Mains' was one of 5 men by the name of Moon who were liable to pay the 1694 Hearth Tax. However he does not appear in the Duke of Atholl's List of Fencible Men, 1705, except as the father of Robert Moon in Toldamph. So, in 1795, Alexander would have been over sixty, making his date of birth before 1645. He probably married around 1680 although the name of his wife is unknown. In addition to Robert, there is evidence that he had another two sons.

-

The Children of Alexander Moon in Mains of Blair and Toldamph.

-

Thomas Moon and Christian Stewart in Toldamph and Ardkincael

Thomas Moon appears in the Duke of Atholl's List of Fencible Men, 1705, and is listed as a tenant but it does not say where. Luckily the Blair Atholl Kirk Session Minutes (19th April 1718) record that Isabel Stewart, a servant maid in Toldamph, had an illegitimate child and confessed her sin to Thomas Moon in Toldamph.

Thomas Moon probably married Christian Stewart at some time around 1720, so he would have been in his late thirties. Initially they were living at Ard Kincael, where their first two sons were born, but returned to Toldamph by 1731.

The couple paid for the baptismal names of their three boys to be recorded in the OPR, but this may be an example of another family who did not believe in doing the same for the girls. The use of traditional naming patterns indicates the strong possibility that Katharine Moon, the wife of Duncan Moon in Balinuarain, was their daughter. As Katharine was living at Balnacroft when she married, her father probably had died and she was employed as a domestic servant.

-

The Children of Thomas Moon and Christian Stewart in Toldamph and Ardkincael

-

Robert Moon in Toldamph

Robert Moon in Toldamph appeared in the Duke of Atholl's List of Fencible Men, 1705, and is listed as the son of Alexander Moon. This seems to imply that Alexander Moon was the tenant of Toldamph but was over 60 and therefore exempt from military service. His son Robert was a Fencible Man probably aged about 23 years but, as second son, he would not expect to take over the tenancy from his father.

The Blair Atholl Kirk Session Minutes for 22nd June 1721 relate that Robert Moon in Borenich was listed as a possible Kirk Elder, but was not selected. It is thought that this refers to the same fellow as there are no other Robert Moons who would be of a suitable age to be considered as a Kirk Elder.

Robert Moon married Ann Stewart and a son, Duncan, was baptised 18th June 1723 when they were still living in Borenich. Three years later another son, John, was born at Bochonie in Glen Errochty, 6th March 1726. Nothing further is known about Robert nor his family.

-

The Children of Robert Moon and Ann Stewart in Borenich and Bochonie

-

Duncan Moon and Margaret Robertson in Tirinie

Duncan Moon and Margaret Robertson probably married around 1717. It is thought that Duncan was the son of Alexander Moon as his eldest child was baptised as Alexander. Alexander junior was born at Tirinie and his younger brother, George, was born at Miltown of Tirinie.

-

The Children of Duncan Moon and Margaret Robertson in Tirinie.

There is nothing more known about this family but it is possible that Margaret Robertson died after the birth of their son George and that Duncan Moon then married Janet McCra and took up residence at Loinmarstaig in Glengirnaig. As this part of Glengirnaig is in Moulin parish and not part of the Atholl Estate there are no records to confirm or refute this possibility.